SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - The proposed law to abolish both the Inheritance Tax (Successiebelasting) and the Land Tax (grondbelasting) has been approved by the Council of Ministers. The Minister of Finance, Hon. Marinka J. Gumbs, now looks forward to appearing before Parliament on Friday, February 13, 2026, to commence deliberations and advance the approval process.

Both laws have been on the books for decades; however, they were never enforced.

“What use is there in having laws that we have not enforced on the books?” the Minister asked rhetorically. The land tax, levies an annual tax on the value of both unimproved and improved land with a structure. The tax rate is 0.3% of the property's value and is charged to the owner. Technically, this would affect all succession land on the island.

Obviously, nobody wants this tax,” the Minister noted. Abolishing it, however, would not affect other taxes which are associated with real estate transactions such as the Transfer Tax (Overdrachtsbelasting), a one-time tax of 4% levied on the transfer of real estate upon purchase or the Long-Lease Land Fees charged if a property is on government-leased land.

With regards to the Inheritance Tax, which is supposed to be levied on assets and money that a person inherits from a deceased individual, the practice has been not to enforce it. Formally abolishing it would remove any doubts about Sint Maarten’s position as a favorable location for estate planning and wealth transfer, in particular with respect to real estate, since there will be no inheritance tax on property passed down to heirs.

Minister Marinka Gumbs reaffirmed her commitment to seeing this reform through and expressed her anticipation that Parliament will move toward the abolition of both the Inheritance Tax and the Land Tax in the public interest.

SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - The 2026 Business Hoops tournament closed in spectacular fashion on Saturday night at a packed L.B. Scott Sports Auditorium, where Hilton Grand Vacations (HGV) outlasted Rainforest Adventures 74–69 in a championship game that delivered intensity, drama and a Finals atmosphere worthy of the grand stage.

From the opening moment, the energy inside the auditorium was unmistakable. With the lights dimmed and NBA-style illuminated player introductions setting the tone, the crowd roared as both teams were announced one by one, creating a professional-level spectacle that signaled the magnitude of the moment. It was clear this was more than a corporate tournament — it was a battle for bragging rights.

The championship clash lived up to every expectation.

Rainforest Adventures refused to back down, keeping the contest within a single possession for much of the fourth quarter. But Hilton Grand Vacations executed in the decisive moments, showing composure under pressure to secure the five-point victory.

Finals MVP Shemaar Hodge led the charge with 23 points, attacking the basket and delivering key buckets when the game hung in the balance. Tournament MVP Casey Lopez provided a dominant inside presence, finishing with 15 points and an imposing 18 rebounds, controlling the glass and giving HGV crucial second-chance opportunities throughout the night.

With the win, Hilton Grand Vacations captured first place honors, while Rainforest Adventures earned second and Collectivité de Saint-Martin secured third place in the final standings.

The championship night was about more than basketball. Halftime performances by Apex Factory and LYTE energized the sold-out crowd, transforming the auditorium into a full entertainment showcase. Music, lights and crowd engagement elevated the Finals into a complete sporting spectacle.

Another standout moment of the tournament came during the Celebrity Game on Friday, February 6, 2026, which proved to be one of the weekend’s major highlights. Community personalities and invited guests took the court in a spirited exhibition that blended competition with entertainment, drawing strong fan support and adding to the tournament’s festive atmosphere.

Running from January 28 through February 7, Business Hoops once again demonstrated its value beyond the hardwood. Companies rallied behind their teams, with colleagues filling the stands nightly to support their co-workers. The tournament fostered team building, workplace pride and camaraderie, turning the L.B. Scott Sports Auditorium into a vibrant display of corporate unity and competitive spirit.

In the end, Hilton Grand Vacations stood tallest, claiming the 2026 Business Hoops crown in front of a capacity crowd and delivering a Finals performance that will be remembered for years to come.

Basketball fans and corporate teams alike are already anticipating what’s next — so look out for an even bigger and better Business Hoops 2027.

Rainforest Adventures

Collectivité de Saint-Martin

Pack Auditorium

SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - The Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM) expresses deep concern regarding the number of serious traffic accidents that have occurred during the first five to six weeks of 2026. Tragically, several persons have lost their lives, while others have sustained very serious and life-altering injuries as a result of these incidents.

These accidents have had a profound impact on families, friends, and the wider community. KPSM extends its sincere condolences to all those who have lost loved ones and wishes the injured a full and speedy recovery.

Preliminary investigations indicate that factors such as speeding, reduced visibility, wet road conditions due to rainfall, poor lighting in certain areas, and inattentive driving continue to play a significant role in these serious accidents.

In light of these developments, KPSM urgently calls on all road users to exercise greater caution, particularly when driving:

• During rainy or wet weather conditions
• In poorly lit or dark areas
• During early morning and late-night hours
• On roads known for sharp bends or reduced visibility

Motorists are strongly urged to:

• Adjust their speed to road and weather conditions
• Avoid unnecessary speeding
• Maintain a safe following distance
• Ensure vehicles are in proper condition, including lights, tires, and brakes
• Remain fully attentive and avoid distractions while driving
• Put away cellphones and other mobile devices while driving — using a cellphone behind the wheel is both dangerous and illegal

Scooter and Motorcycle Riders:

• Must wear helmets at all times this is required by law and can prevent serious head injuries and save lives
• Should exercise extra caution due to increased vulnerability on the road
• Must ensure their vehicles have functioning lights and are properly maintained

KPSM reminds all road users that road safety is a shared responsibility. A moment of impatience or negligence can have irreversible consequences. Every driver, rider, and pedestrian have a role to play in preventing serious injuries or further loss of life on our roads.

The Police Force of Sint Maarten will continue to carry out traffic controls and visibility across the island, while also focusing on preventive measures and public awareness.

Together, let us work to reduce traffic fatalities and make Sint Maarten's roads safer for everyone.

SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - The Minister of Finance, Hon. Marinka J. Gumbs, recently paid a courtesy visit to the new office of the Algemene Pensioenfonds Sint Maarten (APS), located in Diamond Estate, Cole Bay, where she was welcomed by APS Director Mr. Oscar Williams and members of the APS team.

During the visit, the Minister received a guided tour of the premises from APS staff and the Director. She commended APS on its modern and well-designed office space, highlighting the beautiful views and the availability of sufficient parking for customers as positive features that enhance accessibility and service delivery.

Following the tour, the Minister and the APS team convened in the conference room, where several key matters of mutual interest were discussed. These discussions built on issues previously raised during Finance Fridays and APS’s participation in Financial Literacy Month.

One of the initiatives discussed was the possibility of organizing a “Register to the APS Portal Day” at the Government Building. During this one-time on-site event, civil servants would be able to register, receive their password, and obtain immediate access to the APS portal. The aim is to encourage more civil servants to register on the APS portal so they can verify their personal information and obtain a clearer picture of the pension benefits they have accrued and can expect upon retirement.

The Minister also raised the importance of publishing the annual Franchise amount, which is essential for individuals to accurately calculate their net salary from their gross income. This topic had been addressed earlier during a Financial Literacy Month Payroll session led by the Minister herself. APS indicated that it is working toward ensuring that the Franchise is published annually on their website so that employees and pensioners can use it for their calculations.

Another matter discussed concerned the recurring tax liability faced by many pensioners. In some cases, APS pension payments are taxed at the correct tax rate when disbursed. However, when combined with AOV income during the annual income tax filing, the total income can place pensioners in a higher tax bracket, which may than result in an additional tax liability.

As a result, many pensioners are required each year to enter into payment arrangements with the Receivers’ Department to repay the additional tax owed. This recurring situation places financial and administrative strain on elderly citizens and has therefore been identified as an issue that urgently needs to be addressed.

To mitigate this, the Tax Inspectorate has drafted a form which has been reviewed by APS. The form would allow pensioners on a voluntary basis to have additional taxes withheld directly from their pension payments. This measure is intended to reduce the likelihood of unexpected tax bills after filing and to limit the need for yearly payment arrangements. Further details on this initiative will be shared in a separate press release.

Minister Gumbs reaffirmed her commitment to working closely with APS to improve administrative processes and to better support pensioners and civil servants through clearer information and enhanced financial literacy.

She concluded by congratulating APS on its new office in Diamond Estate and expressed her appreciation for the continued collaboration aimed at strengthening pension awareness and financial stability in Sint Maarten.